Sinking Shanghai, iPhone Air sells out in China: SCMP daily highlights

SCMP | Oct. 17, 2025, 9:15 a.m. | Original
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Shanghai first discovered land subsidence in 1921 and in the 1960s, as groundwater extraction peaked at 200 million tonnes a year, the annual land subsidence reached 105mm. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider .

Shanghai is sinking while the sea level along China’s coastline is rising fast – its fastest in 4,000 years – possibly threatening China’s financial hub and the global supply chain, scientists warn in a new study.

2. Ships divert, directors resign as US-China port fees rock shipping industry

A container ship sails at a port in China’s eastern Shandong province. New US and Chinese port fees have rocked the shipping industry in recent days. Photo: AFP
A container ship sails at a port in China’s eastern Shandong province. New US and Chinese port fees have rocked the shipping industry in recent days. Photo: AFP

Shipping companies are rushing to divert vessels and adjust their corporate structures, as they strive to minimise their exposure to steep new US and Chinese port fees that took effect on Tuesday.

3. Top scientist Hu Ye quits US for China after cuts to US$8 million in grants

In 2021, Hu “Tony” Ye’s Tulane University lab developed a rapid Covid-19 testing kit that used saliva instead of nasal swabs. Photo: Handout
In 2021, Hu “Tony” Ye’s Tulane University lab developed a rapid Covid-19 testing kit that used saliva instead of nasal swabs. Photo: Handout

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